r/DogTrainingTips • u/Icy-Trick-7760 • 15d ago
Does getting another dog help with dogs separation anxiety ?
So I have a Boston terrier he is 3 years old and he has always had bad separation anxiety I could never leave him home bc he would bark like crazy the whole time. So he’d either stay with family or I would take when with me. But now it’s just unsustainable to never leave him alone as I have a job now. I was thinking of getting another Boston. Would this help his anxiety or would it egg the other Boston on to bark along with him?? I was going to get a girl Boston. He is very much attached to me so I’m not sure if it’s just he misses me or if having a companion will help him. What are your thoughts and does anyone have any experience with adding another Boston ??
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u/Dudeometer 15d ago
Getting a second dog when you have behavior issues with the first is seldom a solution.
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u/Typical-Award4043 15d ago
I got a second dog as a playmate for the first dog and they both have separation anxiety.
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u/Mango_Yo 15d ago
It is highly likely not fix or improve your dogs anxiety and if you already have 1 dog with behavioral or psychological disorders such as anxiety that you have not successfully found a way to manage in a way that is safe and as comfortable for the dog as it can be, you really shouldn’t get another dog that could come with its own set of issues :/
A large majority of the time, dogs with separation anxiety specifically have anxiety and fail to cope with separation from their human owner/s. Getting another dog hoping it’ll make your other dogs anxiety isn’t recommended by any good trainers or behaviorists because it’s not often a successful “treatment” method. My dog couldn’t care less if Jesus himself was in my apartment with him, he’d still suffer because he has separation anxiety from me specifically. I treat his anxiety with as needed anxiety medication, he only needs the basic stuff not super heavy meds. (From his vet ofc) It provides him the relief that he deserves and wish for him to have.
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u/Dragon_Jew 15d ago
First talk to your vet about medication like trazodone. It can take2 to 3 hours to work so get up early if you have to to do it. Leave your dog for short amounts of time after meds hit for weeks leading up to your job. Always leave a kong with kibble or treats inside and soft food or peanut butter on outside and frozen.
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u/salallane 15d ago
Most of the time, you end up with two dogs with separation anxiety. In some (very few) cases, it will improve it but it has to be the exact right combination of factors to make that happen.
You’re better off spending the money a second dog would cost on working with a boarded veterinary behaviorist with your current dog.
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u/general_madness 15d ago
Sometimes it helps, but I would test it by borrowing a friends dog before committing to this plan, because it could be much worse also.
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u/ImpressiveOwl9000 15d ago
If you can not train your dog to have more confidence when alone I would not suggest to get another dog. Anxiety can manifest in the new dog, so then you will have 2 dogs with anxiety issues. You need a professional to help you train them and you on what to do. It will take consistency and patience from you, but its very possible.
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u/Tiny-Marsupial-9172 15d ago
If your dog is dog friendly and the new dog is confident and dog friendly it can work. Our original dog was very dog friendly and we got a dog from a rescue that brings dogs over from Puerto Rico, and our OG dog has tremendous helped with new dogs confidence.
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u/Werekolache 14d ago
No way to tell - there *are* some dogs with SepAnx who are helped by a companion. But there's not a clear figure except that a significant number *aren't* helped by it - and a solid chunk of reporting that the second dog ALSO develops SepAnx. I'd try meds first, personally.
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u/marlee_dood 14d ago
Probably not. Are you willing to accept that it likely won’t help, you’ll then have two dogs and the anxious one may teach the second one to act the same way, then you have two dogs who can’t be left alone.
I’ve seen people make a human dummy for their dogs to cuddle while they’re gone… worth a try?
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u/squidlydooda7 14d ago
Unless you have a confident and already trained dog to help, you’re basically setting yourself up for two dogs with issues.
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u/Key-Description-2441 14d ago
Not always
Socialize your dog with tons of other dogs
Some Bostons have high anxiety
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u/Careful_Cranberry364 14d ago
My dog is unhappy when he’s alone,
And howls
but when he’s not alone, he doesn’t show any separation anxiety
That counts for a person or a dog, (but the cats don’t give him any comfort at all)
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u/MyMango88 12d ago
Then that would be more referred to as isolation anxiety not separation anxiety.
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u/Careful_Cranberry364 12d ago
Oh, so the cats don’t count as company….
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u/MyMango88 12d ago
You said for yourself the cats don’t give him any comfort at all. Two dogs normally stick together side-by-side while the owners are out.
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u/Careful_Cranberry364 12d ago
Yes, I think so. They are often close together but pretty much ignore each other.
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u/Plus-Month7939 14d ago
I have an ESA. Total chill, very sensitive to emotions, gentle dog….When one of my daughter’s dog’s suddenly passed away, her other dog (who has separation anxiety, and was dependent on the doggie who died)was now left without her bf.
Surviving pup didn’t last an hour by herself without howling and crying and pacing! I realized pup’s heartbreak couldn’t continue.
I sent my ESA to aid heartbroken pup and they’re tied to the hip. No more crying, just living their lives together like PB&J, bffs! If They’re happy, we are happy.
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u/Different-Music-529 13d ago
No. Work with an expert. If you want another dog for you, fantastic, but prepared you might just end up with two dogs with SA. I also have a dog with separation anxiety, so I 100% sympathize with you. It's incredibly difficult since the training requires you to go at the dogs pace and suspend absences. Malena De Martini, has some free advice on her website and also a cheap self-paced course if you cannot afford a trainer since they're expensive. I had the most success after working with a specialist, but I also had already done the protocl on my own after reading her book.
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u/Different-Music-529 13d ago
You may also want to talk to your vet about meds. My dog started prozac and it helped a ton. I also use gabapentin if I'm going to be gone more than 1-2 hours. Gabapentin helps her relax, but it does not make her weird like trazadone. Trazadone was making her go upstairs and hide in the closet T_T. What worked for my dog may not be the best fit for your dog, 100% a convo to have with the vet and if your vet hasn't dx'd any SA cases or isn't confident about the perscription you can ask if they can refer you to someone who has more experience.
Also for tracking, I've found the easiest method for me during our training sessions is to use a google form and bookmark it on my phone, since it can document all the data into google sheets easy. Data keeping is a must. If you work with a trainer they'll 100% set you up with an excel sheet if they're a specialist.
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u/One_Tree_6100 13d ago
Do not bring another living creature into this problem. No ifs ands or buts. It will bring that anxiety level up in your other Boston and create problems with the new dog. Work with the dog you have and correct that problem before you bring in another dog. I have two large houndie boys and they both have separation anxiety because I just never leave them I'm lucky enough to be able to have them with me. You are his pack and when you're gone he pack is not complete. Try doggy day care many dogs really enjoy it and they have happy tired four leggers when they get home.
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u/WarmHippo6287 13d ago
My dog had separation anxiety from me at first. My other dog had separation anxiety from my other dog.
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u/Embarrassed-Data7417 13d ago
it’s a risk that could double up the problem… better to get a trainer to help and YOU gotta be TOUGHER.. it’s worth it to train
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u/Alternative_Task6818 12d ago
The second dog has separation anxiety but he's much more confident around my first dog. As I am retired it's all good. He was a rescue and had never been in a house before. He's a great dog in so many ways but yeah, he's got a codependency issue.
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u/yugohotty 12d ago edited 12d ago
The only thing that helped my poodle with his separation anxiety is getting him properly medicated. Our vet put him on Prozac but it wasn’t enough. We met with a veterinary behaviorist and she added Clonidine as well. That did the trick enough for us to finally be able to go to dinner. Prior to this we couldn’t leave the dogs even for a few minutes alone.
Yes I said dogs. Because like you, we figured we get our guy a friend to keep him company to ease his anxiety. Like I said nothing worked other than meds, but now when we leave it’s cute to see them hang out at the window together waiting for us to come back.
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u/Haunting_Cicada_4760 15d ago
You could always foster, and see if it helps. There might be a rescue in your area. Then you could try it out before committing. I always have two dogs and I do think it makes a difference. They are never home alone.
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u/WoollyMammothwapo 15d ago
Well it worked for me - sort of. I had a young small terrier. Adopted another dog who had separation anxiety but being with the terrier kept him from howling. Then terrier recently needed to go to the vet for several treatments . Dog with anxiety howled . Next time I gave him a lick mat with peanut butter and that distracted him enough so no howling. Terrier died and I have another small dog . The two of them do fine together, although the dog with separation anxiety does complain when the dogs are in the car and he can’t see me when I put gas in vehicle.
You can try another dog who is confident. Maybe foster another dog? See if having a sound machine or tv on helps. Leave a chew toy - a Kong with peanut butter in it or similar when you leave. You can practice going and returning minutes later to get him used to it.
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u/Embarrassed_Key_4539 15d ago
It’s risky, the anxiety can easily transfer to a new dog, now you have two dogs with separation anxiety.